The night started off rather simply. I was in a simple red dress wearing heels. Stupid death traps should not be used for fighting. My weapon was on speed dial on my scroll. I was intending to have a good time, maybe dance with Weiss. I wasn't expecting for the night to go too differently.

I looked around the room and saw Yang and Blake dancing. A smile played across my face. Everyone seemed so happy. My eyes drifted to Weiss. She was sitting alone with a sad look on her face.

Jaune was outside talking to Pyrrha. Hopefully, he gets his head out of his ass and realizes what he has. I decided I would take this chance, with everyone else distracted. I started to wade through the student populous towards the woman I loved only to see Neptune approach her with a drink. I felt my vision flashing red but I quelled down the feeling. There was no reason to start a fight here.

Yang caught my arm and gave me a hug, "Hey little sis! How's the night going?"

I shifted out of her grip and plastered on a faux smile, "It's fantastic. I love what you've done with the hall."

Yang beamed at me and tossed her arm back over my shoulder, "Thank you, thank you very much. You know, the Ice Queen helped quite a bit." I tried to resist tensing up but couldn't. Yang seemed to not notice and continued on, "I was worried the night would be icy, but it seems even the Ice Queen can thaw sometimes." She gestured to Neptune and I fought the tense feeling down a second time but it was only growing. I noticed that Jaune was in a dress and dancing with Pyrrha. Some things never change.

I nodded to Yang and a playful look passed her eye, "You're still mad at Weiss!" She shouted and if we hadn't been in a packed auditorium I would be worried everyone would have heard it.

I gritted my teeth, "Yang, please keep it down."

Yang smirked, "Hey the balcony is free. Let's go have a chat." Yang practically dragged me outside and right past Neptune and Weiss. I felt nausea course through my body as I considered a world without her by my side. A world without Weiss was one I couldn't comprehend. "Hey now Rubes, are you even listening to me?"

I shook my head, "No… sorry Yang. I was just thinking."

Yang's playful smirk reappeared, "I know, I know. It must be tough watching your first crush running around with your best friend."

My jaw dropped, "Excuse me!" I exclaimed as I started to process that Yang was going the wrong direction with this.

Yang took my hand in hers, "It's okay. I know you like Neptune but sometimes you have to accept there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Weiss got there first. Besides, Neptune is going back to his school at the end of the tournament so it wouldn't have lasted anyways." She was really trying to be the comforting big sister right now. It was kind of cute in retrospect but at the time… it was baffling.

I was utterly flabbergasted. I stood there with my lips flapping like a fish trying to formulate a response when I heard a noise behind me. I feigned being ashamed and looked over my shoulder. Damn it, she's already on the move. I figured the best thing to do was get rid of Yang as soon as possible and stop Cinder, "Yang… I don't like Neptune." She scoffed in response but I held up my hand, "You were right I do like one of them. You just picked the wrong one." Yang looked confused for a minute but before she could fully process I continued, "I'm going to bed for the night. Enjoy your date with Blake, you two make a lovely couple."

I walked quickly. I didn't want Mercury or Emerald to catch sight of me, but I also didn't want Yang following. I knew I had at least a 30-second head start on Yang, and she'd be going to the dorms. I shook my head as I realized that by giving Yang the truth I might have opened a whole new can of worms. Oh well… I already told Jaune and Weiss. What's telling my sister at this point? Once I got out of sight I ran quickly towards the CTT center. I pressed the dial button and in less than a minute Crescent Rose crashed next to me.

This… this I know how to handle. I started running up to the main control room where I knew Cinder would be.

Sure enough, standing there clicking on the computer was Cinder, "You know the party is in the other building… it's also not a masquerade." I figured channeling old Ruby was a good idea. Cinder's eyes flashed to me but she appeared unconcerned with my presence.

Cinder stood up and smirked at me as she clicked one final key. My eyes widened. I had been too late. Again I had failed to stop the program. She waved her hand and tossed some dust at me. I simply rolled my eyes and threw my heels off. I charged as the crystals came towards me, ducking underneath them. She didn't even seem fazed. I tried to process a plan quickly. I couldn't reveal my true power to her, but I also could not just let her escape.

I whirled around to slice at her leg. Her weapons seemingly materialized just in time. Clang! She parried my attack and made a move to push forward. Her glass blade got awfully close to my throat but I wasn't concerned. I twirled Crescent Rose. It effectively batted her blade away as I positioned my blade to fire at her.

[* ]I fired my first shot and she ducked. Bang! Her glare hardened and she made to attack me again. I shot a second time. The gun let out a loud bang but the bullet fell as her blades met it in the air. Clang!

Finally, my own frustration started to agitate me. Fighting without using all my power is getting annoying. I had to resist the urge to use other's semblances as I continued to press forward. I started to run into a full sprint towards her. "Ruby!" I heard shouted behind me. I skated to a stop. I turned to see General Ironwood standing there.

When I turned back around Cinder was gone. My eyes flashed red and I turned back to Ironwood with rage coursing through me, "I had her!" My voice was coming out angrier than I'd intended.

The look on Ironwood's face, however, perplexed me and he sighed defeated, "He wasn't lying then." I looked at him questioningly, "Come, Miss Rose, I feel we have much to discuss with your headmaster."

The walk to Ozpin's office felt like it took an eternity. Upon arriving, Ozpin motioned for me to take a seat. Ironwood declined the same offer. He was clearly troubled.

"Sooo, what am I doing here?" I tried playing the innocent child card.

Ozpin chuckled while Ironwood's glare continued to harden. Finally, Ironwood spoke up, "Your eyes are still red Miss Rose." I groaned as I suppressed my anger and Ironwood continued to speak, "Ozpin told me last week a peculiar story about a girl with silver eyes. I don't suppose you'd like to comment on that."

It was my turn to glare as I realized Ozpin was having loose lips, "General, if I thought you could help with this I would have told you myself." My remark came out far more scathing than I'd intended, but it was true.

The General looked offended, "Are you saying you don't trust me?"

I shook my head, "General, I respect you a lot. I served under you for about 6 or 7 years. I know you're a good man and you're in this fight for the long run. I just didn't see any benefit in informing you."

The General's posture changed and that was when I realized my mistake. He thought he could order me around, "Well Miss Rose, what's your rank then?"

"Last I checked I was the General." I growled back, "When I served under you though, I was Captain Rose of the 6th Hunter Division."

He seemed to put some pieces together and eventually nodded, "From what I've seen, you aren't lying. From what I've heard… it is best to listen to your advice." It was strange seeing ol' Ironwood so damn humble, "So… Miss… Captain Rose, is there any assistance or help I can offer you?"

I sat there thinking it over, "Don't trust the CTT at this point. She put some kind of virus into it. Don't mess with it, don't try to remove it." I paused and thought about Penny, "Don't let Penny go to the single matches."

Ironwood grimaced, "Why not? That's why she's here."

I shrugged, "I'd rather not see her dead." Then I decided that showing a little emotion about the situation would probably help my case. I stopped controlling myself so much and let my voice crack, "Please keep her out of the single matches."

He nodded and didn't press any further and then I realized something else he could do, "Send your robotic army home."

He stopped looking so understanding at that point, "Pardon me? Did I hear you just suggest I send my army home? If something big is going to happen, this is exactly where they need to be!"

I tightly nodded, "In any normal situation I would agree. In this situation… they are going to use the robots in their attack. Your peacekeepers will be seen on national television slaughtering innocents." I shook the memory out of my mind, "I plan to stop this… if I fail they'll only make it worse."

It took a little more coaxing but they understood in the end. I took my leave and headed back to my room.

Upon arriving back at my room I found Yang and Weiss sitting there. The two were chatting quietly on Weiss' bed. Blake didn't seem to be in sight. "Uh…maybe I should come back later." I whispered.

Both of them nearly jumped out of their skin realizing I was there. Weiss' Ice Queen demeanor melted a little, "You stupid dolt! Where have you been? Your sister said you had gone home but you weren't here." The concern laced in Weiss' voice made me calm down. I always did have a soft spot for her.

Yang looked content to quietly watch our interaction after the confession, so I focused on Weiss instead, "I saw someone sneaking into the CTT. I followed them and I don't know what they were doing but we got into a fight."

Weiss looked shocked and Yang was kind of excited, "What happened? Was it a good fight? What were they doing? Come on Rubes! Spill!"

I giggled at Yang's idiocy, "We fought, she escaped. I just debriefed with Ozpin and the General. They seem to be concerned about this girl… whoever she is."

Yang nodded along and then suddenly her scroll went off and a little pink crept into her cheeks, "Well ladies, I gotta go. My date wants me to meet her somewhere." Yang winked and then bolted out of the room.

I stood there dumbly staring at where my sister had been and turned to Weiss, "What's going on with Yang?"

Weiss shrugged, "I believe the ruffian rented a hotel room for some private time with Blake. It appears they are officially an item."

I found it rather sudden. They didn't get together last time until Yang… lost her arm. Am I really changing things this much? Who was I kidding… all the changes were piling up. They started off small enough… and then they just kept getting bigger, "Well… good for them," I tried weakly. I then cleared my throat, "I'm going to head to bed."

Weiss' face went from her normal level of iciness to her pissed off face, "Aren't you going to ask me how my night went?"

I huffed. This was not something I wanted to discuss, "Fine. How was your night Weiss?"

Weiss continued to look angry but there seemed to be a glint of mischievousness in her eyes, "Well I'm glad you ask. It was horrible." I went to respond and she just kept talking, "Did you know Neptune cannot dance? That's why he rejected me in the first place. He can't even dance. Of course, I am a Schnee so I tried to put on my 'PR' face. Yet, the whole dance I kept wondering where the girl in the red dress was. I kept seeing her awkwardly standing there." Weiss let a small smile break through her fierce glare, "I was anticipating having at least one dance with her. She is my best friend you see."

I smiled and shot back, "Oh? I didn't realize that Neptune's dancing made dancing with me preferable."

Weiss blushed, "I may have wanted a dance with my best friend, even if Neptune could dance."

I stood there staring at the beautiful woman I had already spent half of my last lifetime with and I felt my breath as it was stolen. She was still wearing her gorgeous dress, her hair looked perfect. It was so very… Weiss. I walked forward and bowed my head slightly, offering my hand, "May I have this dance?"

Weiss' blush deepened but she still tried to maintain her cold attitude, "Without music? What do you take me for? A commoner?"

I stuck out my tongue at her and cheekily grabbed my scroll. I hit play and started a slow song. I then turned back to her and bowed my head again, "My lady, the amazing Weiss Schnee, may I please have the honor of dancing with you?"

Weiss smiled and took my hand in hers. She pulled me close and buried her head in my shoulder. The closeness made me finally feel like my old self. The woman I had been before I… lost her. I spun her around in my arms and then pulled her close again. I smirked cockily at her and I showed off my dance moves. She giggled and kept time with me.

After several songs went by she pulled back and smiled with a blinding happiness and her cheeks as red as my cloak, "You, Ruby Rose, are an immaculate dance partner."

I learned from the best. "I'm just glad that a commoner such as myself is dancing to your standard," I joked back.

Weiss' face suddenly took on a look of serious concentration, "I… I don't want you to think this… means anything… I can't…"

My heart shattered as her words killed the moment but I nodded, "That's fine Weiss. We're best friends. That's all that matters." Weiss sniffled and I realized her heart was breaking as well. I took a step back and kissed her hand gingerly, "Thank you for this dance my lady."

I gave a small prayer to whoever the gods may be that this wasn't the last time I held her like this. I walked to my bunk and fell asleep dreaming of a better time.

The next day came with the announcement of a week-long field trip. Team RWBY returned to our dorms where Yang pulled out a package. I immediately knew what would be falling out of it. "What is it?"

Yang grinned brightly, "Who knows? But dad sent it so I'm sure it's gonna be awesome!" She opened it and poured the contents on the floor. Within seconds Zwei recovered.

I didn't realize how much I'd missed the cute pup and found myself hugging him tightly. Zwei barked in my ear and I giggled as he started licking my face. Both Yang and I were ecstatic. Weiss and Blake seemed to be confused. Blake had, after hearing the bark, run into Yang's bed.

Weiss was staring at the dog and started to walk towards him, "Do you mean to tell me that this filthy, slobbering," her demeanor slowly changed as the ice melted, "adorable, cute wittle puppy dog is going to stay with us forever and ever?" Weiss started petting him and fawning all over him.

Blake meanwhile sat on Yang's bed, "Please keep him away from me."

Yang rose an eyebrow at her girlfriend, "Oh come on, he's a real sweetie, sweetie." She even chuckled at her own joke. Yang hopped up on the bed with Blake and they started having a quiet conversation that ended in a kiss. I could tell Blake was still unsure about Zwei, but she at least seemed willing to give him a chance.

Weiss took Zwei from me and the pup was loving the attention. I rolled my eyes as they played together and finally felt I had to mention the elephant in the room, "We gotta start packing. We have to meet this amazing hunter guy over at the airship soon."

They all nodded and Weiss put down Zwei reluctantly, "I'll be back for you, you adorable pup."

We approached the airship with our stuff and were met by Dr. Oobleck. My teammates looked confused and annoyed by his presence but I knew he was capable. I addressed my team after Dr. Oobleck told us to not bring our bags, "He may not seem like much but he is a capable hunter." I smiled, "Remember, don't judge a book by its cover." The girls still seemed skeptical but they accepted the concept.

Upon landing Dr. Oobleck discovered that I had brought Zwei. I knew he wouldn't be angry and I couldn't just leave the dog alone with canned food. He was smart but I was pretty sure he couldn't use a can opener.

Dr. Oobleck was excited about Zwei being with us and began briefing us on our mission, "find whatever is causing the negative emotions that have attracted so many grimm."

The job seemed simple enough to everyone, up until we saw the first grimm, followed by its pack. We made short work of them and started scouring the city. I overheard Dr. Oobleck questioning my team, "Miss Xiao Long, why did you decide to become a huntress?"

Yang's explanation left much to be desired. It became apparent after all three were asked that all of them needed to really think about why they did this. Dr. Oobleck eventually informed the team to set up camp while he spoke with me.

"Doctor, I have a question," I pushed. The truth was, I had a whole slew of questions. I never got the chance to know Oobleck too well but from what I'd see over the years, he was a wealth of information.

"You want to know why I've been interrogating your team." He stated simply and I nodded my agreement, "Well Miss Rose, it's quite simple. You see, I became a hunter because I see a place like this… and all I see are lives I could have saved. I also see lives I could save in the future with the knowledge acquired here. There is nothing in all of the world I'd want to do more than be a hunter." I furrowed my brow, he still hadn't answered my question.

He saw the questioning look on my face and smiled as he sipped his drink, "I have always felt that no hunter or huntress should stand ready to protect humanity without a true desire to do so."

"So why haven't you asked me?" I probed.

The grin on his face took me by surprise, "It's simple Miss Rose. I have never seen a student as driven as you. Looking at everything you have done, even before coming to this school, it is clear what you want. I have no doubt you will be one of the greatest huntresses to graduate our institution. You are the only one on your team who is doing this to protect people."

I narrowed my eyes, "Blake is doing it to protect people."

He shook his head and a glint crossed his eyes, "Miss Belladonna is doing it to prove to herself and others that change can happen a better way. She is doing this just as much for herself as she is for others." A sad look crossed the doctor's face, "The fact is, you Miss Rose have no care for your own life. You have put yourself selflessly in danger, repeatedly for others. Is it stupid? Surely. Is it what a true hunter should do? Yes… yes, it is Miss Rose. I have complete faith in what you fight for because I know you have complete faith in it."

I tried to comprehend the answer I never received the first time, "But…" I found words failing me.

He smiled, "Your team will find their purpose eventually. My questioning of them was only to push them to find their true reasons."

I nodded as we finally arrived at the final destination, the top of a hill. Down below us was a massive group of goliath's. They were clearly migrating. I cringed internally. They were likely preparing for the battle at Beacon. Goliath's were one of the few grimm I still didn't fully understand. They were intelligent, although not the most intelligent grimm. They seemed to keep out of human affairs more than the other intelligent grimm. Eventually, though… they were one of Salem's strongest allies among the grimm.

"Now Miss Rose, let us return to your team." He said pleasantly. I followed behind him and contemplated his words. I volunteered for the first watch, I couldn't keep my mind quiet yet.

After my watch I found myself slipping into sleep rather easily. Yang had the next watch and I trusted my big sis to protect me. I woke up hours later to Zwei barking loudly in my face. I groaned, "What is it Zwei?"

Zwei looked almost panicky. He barked louder and louder. Soon everyone was awake. That was when it hit me. Where is Weiss?

Zwei began running and I chased after him. Everyone else was in tow, but dread was building in my chest. We arrived at a giant hole in the ground and sitting there next to it… was Myrtenaster. I gasped as my hand wrapped around it.

"They took her," my voice came out deadly. My eyes turned red and suddenly I couldn't control myself. I grabbed Crescent Rose off my back and bolted down the hole. I vaguely heard Yang shouting my name, Blake trying to hold Yang back, and Dr. Oobleck commenting that there was a tunnel system underground.

I found myself running towards any sound I could find. Finally, I found a large group of the White Fang soldiers, "You will show me where you took the woman you found." I was only going to give them one warning.

They didn't take it. They immediately opened fire and I nodded, "Very well." I felt as my body was engulfed in flames. I let Yang's semblance and my rage mix together. I sprang forward, augmenting her semblance with mine. The result was a path of flames. I burned a good number of them as I sliced through each. Finally, they were all incapacitated except one.

I cooled off the flames and grabbed him by the throat, "You will tell me where she is or you will die."

His wide green eyes stared into my flaming red ones and he stuttered in fear. I growled and began to increase pressure on his neck. He looked on the verge of tears, "She's down the tunnel to the left… Tor-torchwick is holding her."

I threw him aside with enough force to knock him out. I blazed forward, rage pouring through me. As I turned the corner I saw Torchwick taunting Weiss, "Oh I wonder how much daddy dearest would pay me to give you back." Weiss was maintaining her icy facade but I could see she was worried.

I bellowed, "Torchwick!" He turned in my direction and a look of surprised was etched in my face, "You will unhand her or I will kill you."

Weiss looked genuinely concerned by my willingness to kill him. Torchwick was not worried by my arrival, "Well, hello Red. You know I'm starting to think you'd be a lot more fun on my side. You really should reconsider. We have a very good medical plan." He smirked, "Once you get a little older I might even have a few ideas," he winked just to punctuate the point.

"If only you lived to see the end of this act." I murmured in his ear. He went statue still as he realized I had moved in a blink of an eye to behind him. My blade pierced his chest. His aura shattered and he dropped to the ground howling in pain, "We'll see how well you survive now," I growled.

Weiss finally got a good look at me and she was shocked. My eyes were still blood red and heat was pulsating off of me. "Ruby, calm down. I'm okay," she whispered. I felt the heat fall away and my eyes softened. She moved close and hugged me, "Thank you for coming for me."

I smiled, "Of course I came for you."

Torchwick coughed up some blood on the ground, "Can you two make goo-goo eyes elsewhere?" He looked furious and then shouted loudly at the men on the train nearby, "Go! Enact the plan!"

I moved away from Weiss and my eyes went back to fire. Weiss gasped, "Torchwick, I will not allow this to happen again." Confusion crossed both of their faces, but I was too consumed by anger to realize what I'd said. My foot connected with his face and he was out cold, "Wait here." I ordered Weiss. She nodded before realizing that she had no idea what I was doing.

I hopped on the train just as it took off. I stood atop it and watched as Oobleck, Yang, and Blake caught up to Weiss and the knocked out Torchwick. Time to do what I do best.

I knew it wasn't going to be a clean solution but… a crazy plan is better than none. What I did next… was insane but I knew it was the fastest plan. I ran to the front of the train and looked for a way to disconnect the lines. They appeared to be welded together but it didn't matter. I used my rage to superheat the lines and melt them away. The front of the train continued forward as the rest of it began to slow down.

That was when I realized, at the speed, it was going, it wasn't going to stop until it hit its goal. I took a deep breath. I hadn't done something quite this stupid before. I ran forward as fast as I could. I ran until I was about 100 feet in front of the train. I sent a silent prayer up and started doing the only thing I could think of. I channeled Weiss' semblance and the glyph took on a red tint with a black rose at the center. I exploded into flames as Yang's semblance covered me. Finally, I channeled all my focus and remaining aura on Pyrrha's polarity. The train kept moving forward.

I pushed back with the polarity harder. I put more and more power into it. I felt myself draining quickly even as the train slowed slightly. I used Yang's semblance meshed with Weiss' to set up a barrier between myself and the train. I pushed a final amount into pushing the train back with polarity and felt myself slip into darkness, right on the train tracks.

Author's Note: Questions, comments, concerns. Enjoy the story.